Every workday, utility construction jobsites around the country are buzzing with activity as workers and tradespeople toil away. But before the first meter is installed, the first pole is repaired, or the first underground utility is located, it’s not uncommon to see these hardworking employees and contractors gather for what’s called a toolbox talk. Also known as a tailgate meeting, these informal sessions are brief safety discussions in which jobsite leaders reinforce best practices for remaining safe while working.  

The concept of toolbox talks has been growing rapidly in popularity over the last few decades—which may be one of the biggest reasons why worker deaths, injuries and illness are down significantly since the 1970s, according to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration. If you want to start toolbox talks on your jobsites or you’re looking for a few tips to improve your ongoing sessions, read on as we recap our top five things to remember about toolbox talks

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You know what they say: safety first.  When it comes to keeping you and your family safe, knowledge is critical. We wanted to do our part by relaying a few of our favorite basic tips. Here’s our take on how to stay safe when working with or around electricity.

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There are some inherent risks that come with serving as a field technician for a utility company. One of the worst potential risks is heat and extreme summer temperatures. According to Ready.gov, about 175 Americans die each year from exposure to extreme heat. While that number may not seem like a lot, it  doesn’t account for the countless others who survive a heat stroke. Or those that endure the uncomfortable symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat cramps. Fortunately for people who spend hours outside each day, there are a variety of preventive things that can be done to reduce the risks. To help keep your staff safe, we encourage you to share these five tips for staying safe in the summer heat.

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Anyone who has spent time in the utility industry understands smart technology’s impact on processes and operations. In the technology realm, “smart” is an acronym for “Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology” (SMART). Smart tech is known for driving innovation and ease for its users.

Widely considered the foundation of smart technology for utilities, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) has been steadily gaining momentum for years. In fact, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), there were nearly 103 million electric utility AMI installations as of 2020. These numbers don’t account for statistics from the last two years, nor those related to natural gas or water meters, which the EIA does not publish. So, why push for this advanced technology? Today, we’ll review some of the top advantages and why so many utilities are making the move to AMI meter technology.

Related: Utility Customer Satisfaction Improves With Tech

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For residents in coastal states like Florida, Texas, and Louisiana (and even some farther up the Eastern seaboard) June 1 is a date that’s often circled on the calendar. Why June 1? It’s the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. While the thought of living through hurricane season can be scary, preparation is the best way to reduce risk.

Putting emphasis on hurricane season safety and preparation is imperative with peak hurricane season around the corner. The time is now to focus on safety and awareness. If your utility could use a refresher stormy weather preparation, you might consider incorporating a few of the tips we’ve included below. (more…)

It’s not every day that five simple words can save a life. But as the summer storms start to roll in, these five just might: When thunder roars, go indoors! This catchy slogan is used to bring awareness to the dangers of lightning, which is an often-overlooked weather-related occurrence. Because hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding get the bulk of the headlines, few people realize that the U.S. has averaged nearly 50 reported lightning fatalities each year over the past 30+ years. To complicate matters further, about 10% of people struck by lightning are killed. Meaning hundreds of others are left with debilitating injuries.

Though the statistics sound scary, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself and your employees from the 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes that occur across the country each year. We’ve put together a few tips that we think do the best job of educating utility workers about the dangers of lightning strikes. (more…)